I knew that something was amiss from the moment I had come upon him along the riverside, how he remained silent and even though his eyes were alight with fire. That look was one I had once worn, a desire so strong for vengeance that nothing could sate it but death. Though Meryl and I had known each other for many years now, it was in this that I realized how very little I actually knew about him. As we slowly made our way towards Diveen my heart raced, constantly worried for him, worried about him and this overwhelming shift in his mind. More than once we had to stop in our travels, and my bodice would fold to support Meryl even as he collapsed to the ground. I refused to let him further injure himself as his legs would crumple beneath him. His pain was my own in this, and though his exhaustion crept into my very bodice, I refused to give up. I would give him time to rest, but then I would help him to rise once more. He did not seem to have the will to rise, but I did my best to give him my strength and eventually he would find his paws again. And so we continued.

We were coming near to Diveen’s borders when I felt the last of his strength go from him. As his form crumbled to the ground I moved with him, ensuring he did not further hurt himself as he weakly laid at my paws. Casting my nose to the sky I called out, demanding the presence of a healer, any student of his that would come forth. Once the summons was completed I looked back to him, lowering my muzzle to him. I could feel the complacency creep through his body and I sighed softly, my hot breath washing over his face as his eyes slipped closed. To know I had gotten him this far offered me the smallest form of respite, but my duty was not finished. I reached forward, touching my nose to his for the briefest of moments before I lifted my crown once more. I shifted my bodice so that I stood nearly over him, protective and steadfast in my guard. No more harm would come to him this day, and I would make sure of that.

Fierce mahogany eyes swept back and forth along the scenery before me, watching the borders of Diveen in anticipation of the arrival of someone in answer to my call. My ears flitted back and forth atop my dais, listening intently for approach from any angle. For a time the steady breathing of Meryl’s form beneath my own was all that filled my ears. But then there was motion from ahead, and my eyes flicked towards the source. Narrowing my focus, I spotted the white fem as she crested a slight knoll within the packlands, close to the border. We were still a fair distance from the actual boundary of Diveen, but I knew we were within sight of this lackadaisical female whose tongue lolled so idly from her mouth. That was until her eyes locked upon us, and her demeanor shifted to something between seriousness and panic. As she came barreling towards us, I knew she was pack to Meryl but that did not make me any less protective of my soul. I spread my front legs wide to defend him.

But when she reached us the concern in her eyes was laced with a love that took me slightly aback. Perhaps she was family? I did not relinquish my defensive stature, still towering over him protectively. The worried repetition of the word ‘no’ poured from the slighter female’s maw, and my brows furrowed slightly. Was she a healer or not? She hadn’t brought any supplies with her like Meryl always had whenever I had required his help. Then, all of a sudden, the ivory girl collapsed and folded herself gingerly around Meryl. Instinctively my lips curled back, but no growl seethed forth from me. Time seemed to pause, as if I were looking down upon a private moment not meant for my eyes. A myriad of possible explanations for her closeness to my soul swept through my mind. But I knew the truth of it; I could feel the way Meryl’s heart sang out for her. It had to be her. She was the one who kept Meryl’s heart, much as I kept his soul. Jealousy bit at me from the inside out, but I quickly sheathed my canines as time caught up with me and she cast her worrisome gaze up at me.

I blinked, staring at this girl, wondering if she was better for him than me. If maybe the fates had messed up when they entwined my soul with Meryl’s. Surely I did not deserve him; he deserved this girl, whose every feature were softened by an innocence I had not known since childhood. Her words cut through my thoughts, and the blank stare I had directed towards her was adjusted to my more regal demeanor. “I was too late; by the time I reached him his attacker was already gone,” I said, eyes shifting once more to Meryl, so close to him did I still remain. Finally I realized myself and stepped back, giving them a bit of space. “Are you a healer? Didn’t you bring anything?” My eyes flashed over her, knowing she had not but still wondering, before my gaze lifted and glanced back towards the borders, thinking that she must not be a healer, that someone else must be coming to help him. But there was no one. I felt a blaze of irritation, displeased with Diveen’s lack of a capacity to help a wolf who was supposedly so well valued amongst their ranks. If he lived in Spirane, I knew as my Maester one of the septons would have already arrived, prepared to help him in any way.

Looking back down to Meryl, I knew he had spent the last of his energy getting this far. If he had to go any further to seek medical attention I knew he would not be able to rise to do so. “I will carry him to the nearest healer; can you guide me?” I stated, looking back to the girl who I had determined was only helpful in that she was his…well…what was she? If I, as the keeper of his soul, was his imprint, did that make her - the keeper of his heart – his…mate? I did not wish to consider such possibilities, even though in times past as I felt his happiness swell I had been glad for him, now she was just a presence to comfort him. While that was all well and good, he needed a healer more than the comforts of his heart and soul.